Trading on a Head-and-Shoulders Bottom

A head-and-shoulders bottom is regarded as a bullish signal that indicates a possible reversal of a stock’s current downtrend into a new uptrend. It’s a popular pattern with traders.

Volume is critical for a head-and-shoulders bottom. A trader will be looking for increasing volumes at the breakout point. This increased volume definitively marks the end of the pattern and the reversal of a downward trend in the price of a stock.

See also: 5 Bullish Charts That Never Lie[1]

What does a head-and-shoulders bottom look like?

A perfect example of the head-and-shoulders bottom has three sharp low points created by three consecutive reactions in the price. It’s crucial that this pattern form following a major downtrend in the stock’s price.

The first point — the left “shoulder” — occurs as the price of the stock in a falling market hits a new low and then rises in a minor recovery.

The second point — the “head” — occurs when prices fall from the high of the left shoulder to an even lower level and then rise again.

The third point — the right “shoulder” — happens when prices fall again but do not touch the low of the head. Prices rise again after they have hit the low of the right shoulder. The lows of the shoulders are decidedly higher than that of the head and, in a classic formation, are often more-or-less equal to one another.

The neckline is an important element of this pattern. The neckline is formed by drawing a line that connects the formation’s two high price points. The first high point occurs at the end of the left shoulder and the beginning of the downtrend to the head.

The second high point marks the end of the head and the beginning of the downturn to the right shoulder. The neckline typically points down in a head-and-shoulders bottom, but it can occasionally slope up.

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The head-and-shoulders bottom is complete when the resistance marked by the neckline is “broken.” This happens when the stock’s price, rising from the low point of the right shoulder, moves up through the neckline. Many technical analysts consider the neckline “broken” only if the stock closes above the neckline.

The volume sequence should start with relatively heavy volume as prices descend to form the low point of the left shoulder. Volume spikes as the stock hits a new low to form the point of the head. When the right shoulder is forming, volume should be definitively lighter, as the stock price once again moves lower.

It’s most important to watch volume at the point where the neckline is broken. For a true reversal, most experts concur that heavy volume is necessary.

There are a few important variations of the head-and-shoulders bottom.

Multiple Head-and-Shoulders-Patterns

Many valid head-and-shoulders patterns aren’t as well-defined as the classical “head” with a “shoulder” on each side. It’s not unusual to see more than two shoulders and more than one head.

Flat Shoulders

The classic head-and-shoulders pattern is made up of three sharply pointed components — the head and two shoulders — but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the shoulders may not have sharp low points and will instead be quite rounded. This does not affect the pattern’s validity.

What details should you pay attention to in the head-and-shoulders bottom? Here are five:

Symmetry — In a classic head-and-shoulders bottom, the left and right shoulders hit their relative low points at about the same price and level. Additionally, the shoulders are typically about the same distance from the head. Experts prefer to see symmetry, but variations don’t necessarily dismiss the pattern’s validity.

Volume — It’s imperative to watch the volume sequence as the pattern develops. Volume will usually be highest on the left shoulder and lowest on the right. Traders who look to ensure that volume increases in the direction of the trend should make sure that a “burst” in volume occurs at the time the neckline is broken.

Duration of Pattern — It’s not unusual for a head-and-shoulders bottom to take several months to fully develop. Stocks’ volume is generally less after a period of declining prices than after a bull market. Because of this lower volume, bottoms take longer to form and tend to be smaller than tops.

The Need for a Downtrend — This is a reversal pattern that marks the transition from a downtrend to an uptrend.

Slope of the Neckline — In a well-formed pattern, the slope won’t be too steep, but be sure not to automatically discount a formation that has a steep neckline. Some experts believe an upward-sloping neckline is more bullish than a downward-sloping one. Others say, however, that slope has very little to do with the degree of the stock’s bullishness.

How to Trade the Head-and-Shoulders Bottom

Consider the duration of the pattern and its relationship to the length of time you prefer to hold a trade, especially considering options expiration dates.

Most consider the duration of the pattern a relevant indicator of the duration of the influence of this pattern. The longer the pattern, the longer it will take for the price to reach the target. The shorter the pattern, the sooner the price is likely to move.

If you’re considering a short-term trading opportunity, look for a pattern with a short duration. If you prefer a longer-term trading opportunity, look for a pattern with a longer duration. The duration of the pattern is sometimes called the “width” or “length” of the pattern.

The target price offers a significant indication about the potential price move that the head-and-shoulders pattern indicates. Consider whether the target price for this pattern is enough to yield adequate returns after your costs (such as commissions and taxes) have been taken into account.

A good rule is that the target price must specify a potential return of greater than 5% before a pattern should be considered useful. However, you must keep in mind the current price and the volume of shares or contracts you intend to trade. Also, check that the target price has not already been hit.

The inbound trend is an important characteristic of the pattern. A shallow inbound trend may suggest consolidation before the price move indicated by the pattern commences. Look for an inbound trend that is longer than the duration of the pattern. A good general rule is that the inbound trend should be at least two times the duration of the pattern.

Criteria That Supports the Head-and-Shoulders Bottom

Support and Resistance — Aim to find a region of support or resistance around the target price, which is a strong indicator that the price will move to that point.

Location of Moving Average — The head-and-shoulders bottom should be below the stock’s moving average. Compare the location of the pattern to a moving average of similar length. For short duration patterns, use the 50-day moving average. For longer patterns, use a 200-day moving average.

Moving Average Trend — The moving average should change direction within the duration of the pattern and should head in the direction the pattern indicates. For short-duration patterns, use the 50-day moving average. For longer patterns, use the 200-day moving average.

Volume — Volume will usually be highest on the left shoulder and lowest on the right shoulder. A strong spike in volume spike on the day of the pattern confirmation is a strong indicator that supports the potential for this pattern. The volume spike should be notably above the volume average for the pattern’s duration.

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